October 2017 Skater of the Month

Photo by Chuck Gay Photography

XENA WARRIOR SKATRESS
#24

Tell us about your name.
I really wanted a name that evoked a sense of strength and confidence. I happened to be scrolling through Hulu and saw Xena, and I knew instantly that it was meant to be. Xena is the strong, independent badass that I strive to be! But I still binged it for a week, just to be sure. 

What position do you play?
Primarily blocking. I love to jam, but I am not particularly great at it. Yet. 

What are your derby goals?
Getting back on the track healthy and learning some fancy footwork from my amazing teammates.

Who inspires you on the track?
My trainers have really been my greatest inspiration. Derp, Dovah, Slam, Moose, and HardLee have pushed and supported me and always make me feel like I can do this. Let’s be honest, roller derby is hard and scary as hell. Having people behind you who take the time to help you with skills and who get you out of your head is amazing. I couldn’t have gotten this far without them.

What is your favorite derby memory?
My first Freshie Bout -- The Super Smash Sisters versus The Street Fight-Hers. I surprised myself with some of the fancy moves I pulled, especially while jamming (I even scored points!). My family and friends showed up to support me and were the best cheering section I could ask for. And then my team won! I was on a high for days because I finally felt like roller derby was something I could do and maybe even be good at.

September 2017 Skater of the Month

MISFORTUNE COOKIE
#247

Tell us about your name.
My profession leaves me with zero ounce of creativity so I used one of my three lifelines and Called A Friend. All the credit belongs to her for my derby name. 

What position do you play? What are your derby goals? 
I'm a blocker. It is such a dynamic position. You have to know where everyone is and try to anticipate where the jammer is heading to cut her off at the pass and simultaneously know where your jammer is and determine if and when help is needed. It really is all about timing. And it's fun to hit your friends and laugh about it. I'm working towards being a pivot because it requires so much mental agility, switching from defense to offense at the drop of a dime. I really just want to be a jammer's worst nightmare. 

Who inspires you on the track? 
Earlier this year, I was getting discouraged with derby and with having suffered an injury early in the season. I came back to derby a couple of months ago and ever since making the Wipe Outs, Derp has helped to reinvigorate my love of derby. Her leadership and care has really brought me back to center. I couldn't have wished for a better team Captain.  

What is your favorite derby memory? 
So many memories that brings a smile to my RBF. The one that stand out the most has to be when I passed my laps during WFTDA assessments. The weeks leading up to it, I had fallen at least once during my laps like clockwork. This weighed on my mind as I was skating those dreaded 5 minutes. But in the end, I finished my laps and DIDN'T fall! It was amazing. Playing with the Ghoul Scouts in one of the Freshie bouts showed me the love the derby community has for each other. My teammates were amazing. The coaches (Stockholm and Maya) were nurturing yet knowing when to push each and every one of us. Oh and winning in the last jam by 3 points didn't hurt either! I can't wait to add more wonderful memories as I continue my derby journey.

The Skully Award, August 2017

SFV Roller Derby would be nothing without our hardworking officials, both our onskates Referees and our dedicated Non-Skating Officials. Throughout the year, the Training Team would like to honor an official in recognition of their contribution to the league. 

---

HONORING Sammi Smacky-yao

I decided to start officiating to learn the sport as a whole. I didn't have much roller derby knowledge before joining the league and it seemed like the perfect way to learn. I started to dabble in the NSOing my first few months and dove into reffing immediately after that, thanks to the help and encouragement of the Ref Neck crew. 

Inspiration comes in waves to me. One day it's my family, the next it could be an OMG, a ref, or even a trainer/coach. I've probably found inspiration from just about every leaguemate. I see you, putting in work. 

I'm sure skaters realize reffin' ain't easy. However, I want to encourage more people to come on out to try it. It's fun and the best seat in the house. 

When I'm not on the track I'm working REALLY far away. So my time with my family and my derby sisters is really valuable to me.

August 2017 Skater of the Month

Tell us about your name
I'm a big Marvel fan. I have always closely related to Storm but when you think about a bad ass intimidating woman, BloodStorm would have to be it. Not to mention I always seem to have variations of a white mohawk. The number is a reference to Green Day's first release.

What position do you play? What are your derby goals? 
I play the position of falling on my ASS.  Actually, I guess blocker, but I aspire to play all positions. I want to be a jammer one day.  Really, I just want to play, that's my main goal. 

Who or what inspires you on the track?
Every single person that steps on that track.  I watch and ask questions of everyone. There is something in everyone I can learn from.  I'd love to skate backwards and block like Moose. Dovah uses her body like a skilled ballerina.  Hurley and Killo set the bar so high. I could go on and name every woman, but they all inspire me.

What is your favorite derby memory?
Playing in a freshie bout. Those practices when the girls cheered me on and I jammed against Tank, little me got lead Jammer for a few seconds. No one took it easy on me and I loved every second.

BloodStorm #1039

July 2017 Skater of the Month

MELEE CURIE
#245

Tell us about your name
My name is a tribute to the physicist/chemist Marie Curie. I'm a high school special-ed teacher and all areas of science intrigue me. The Melee part is a nod to how I feel derby is played — a melee attack in very close quarters is a confused and quick fight. That about sums up my time on the track, usually. 

What are your derby goals?
To meet some badass witches and then knock them down. 

What inspires you on the track?
All the amazing strong women around me are inspiring. But mostly I just want to be a better me. 

What is your favorite derby memory?
I will always remember my first freshie bout. I had no idea what I was doing and I was completely terrified, but it was probably the best thing I've ever done. 

June 2017 Skater of the Month

Tell us about your name.
I bake all sorts of cakes and 350 is the temperature you bake them.

What position do you play? 
I’m currently a proud blocker! I’m working toward being a great pivot, just so I can get in a little bit of jamming, too.  

Who inspires you on the track?
Kat Von Reap turned me onto derby. She worked with my husband and I came to see her play. It was so cool. But I thought I was too old and too big to play, so it took me two years before I went to my First Date. I have not looked back since. 

What is your favorite derby memory?
The night I passed my WFTDA skills and got drafted to the Van Nuys Valkyries! It took three tries to get home team cleared and I passed with the greatest group of gals — Night Fury, Meowzig, Iceboxx, Lucid Venus, Slick Trick, and Sigourney Cleaver. I’m so proud to be a part of this amazing league and hope to have many more memories!

FUDGINCAKEDOFF
#350

The Skully Award, May 2017

SFV Roller Derby would be nothing without our hardworking officials, both our onskates Referees and our dedicated Non-Skating Officials. Throughout the year, the Training Team would like to honor an official in recognition of their contribution to the league. 

---

Honoring STOCKHOLM SYNDI

Photo by ConJobb Photos

How did you decide on your derby name? What does it mean to you?
I chose Stockholm Syndi, derived from Stockholm Syndrome, because my favorite Disney movie is Beauty and the Beast. Over time, the name became more fitting. In essence, I joined a sport that's rough on my mind, body, and soul, but here I am, still rollin' and still in love almost four and half years later.  

Plus, the first occurrence of Stockholm Syndrome happened in 1973 during a 6-day bank heist from August 23 to August 28. August 23 just so happens to be my birthday!

How did you get started as a roller derby official? 
I started officiating derby around two years ago, first starting as an NSO and then moving into on skates reffing at scrimmages. Officiating helped me to become a smarter skater, to learn the rules better, and it helps my league out. We all know how short-handed we are on officials — especially being one of many leagues in Southern California!

Who inspires you, both on and off the track?
My boyfriend-slash-bigger half, Refael. He inspires me to be a stronger skater, smarter referee, and an all-around decent person. I always ask him all kinds of rules questions whether we're at practice, driving around, or at dinner. He's always there for his fellow officials, whether it's for help at another game or giving them tips on how to become better at what they do. Plus, he doesn’t give me a break when I’m playing. He calls me on most, if not all, of my penalties!

What's something you wish all skaters realized?
In the end, officials are human beings who deserve respect, even if you don't agree with them. And we need them to keep playing this sport. 

When you're not on the track, where can we find you?
Sleeping.

May 2017 Skater of the Month

HAVANA CLUBYA
#98

Tell us about your name
I'm first generation Cuban and wanted to pay homage to my heritage. Havana Club is the national rum of Cuba and La Giraldilla is plastered on every bottle, bus, and newspaper in Cuba. It's even permanently inked on my arm! 

What position do you play? What are your derby goals?
Blocker. The only goal I have is to hit people. 

What inspires you on the track?
Bruises are the only inspiration I need. 

What is your favorite derby memory?
I have a permanent memory burn from when Krissy Krash gave me a peg-assist off the jam line in a scrimmage. The pack watches in awe as I glided to new heights. I believed I could have touched the sky.  I think about it every night and day. Oh, to spread my wings and fly away again.